Posted on 09/11/2017 6:15:17 AM PDT by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA — Oompah-pah bands, brats and beer gave Sierra Vista a taste of Bavaria Friday and Saturday during the 22nd annual Oktoberfest.
As the Sierra Vista Community Band filled the beer garden with such festive German favorites as the Chicken Dance, Beer Barrell Polka, Happy Wanderer and Hamburger Waltz on Friday, parents and youngsters danced along.
Manuel Garcia and his 7-year-old granddaughter were particularly fond of the Chicken Dance.
“I lived in Heidelberg for three years and really enjoyed Oktoberfest celebrations while I was there,” he said. “I’m sure my Chicken Dance could use a little work, but my granddaughter and I are having a good time.”
Despite a steady rain early Friday evening, a crowd gathered at Veterans Memorial Park to listen to three bands and enjoy German cuisine. A huge tent that housed Der Biergarten (beer garden) filled with families who were there to enjoy the music and traditional food. Entertainment started with the SauerkrautenGlockenspielen Oompah-pah Band (German version of the community band), followed by the Military Intelligence Corps German Band, with the sounds of RadioLogic — a popular rock band out of Phoenix — rounding out the evening.
“I think this Oktoberfest is amazing because the music is great!” 10-year-old Michael Milazzo exclaimed while listening to the community band. “And my aunt (Jill Petersen) just got proposed to, so I have a future uncle. Best Oktoberfest ever!”
Younger brother Jake Malazzo, 8, offered a slightly different take on the event.
“The best thing about Oktoberfest is the carnival,” he said. “I like the giant slide.”
And finally, 6-year-old Kerri Malazzo chimed in.
“My favorite thing at Oktoberfest is the Kona Ice,” she said. “Well, and the carnival.”
Hanh McKenzie — a Vietnam native — said she attends Sierra Vista’s Oktoberfest every year. “My husband served two tours in Germany, so we really enjoy this festival,” she said. “We enjoy the sauerkraut, brats and the music.”
Oktoberfest is free and open to the public. Organized by the City of Sierra Vista, Laura Killberg, the city’s recreation supervisor who oversees special events, said the event is always a big draw.
“Since Sierra Vista is a military town, we have a large German community here, with a very active Sister Cities student exchange program,” she said. “Sister Cities sends students to Radebeul, Germany (Sierra Vista’s German sister city) every year and the organization uses Oktoberfest as one of its big fundraisers for the exchange.”
Several people who attended the event had spent time in Germany. Keith Hall lived in Frankfurt for a brief time while in the Army. He and his wife, Jackie were sitting in the beer tent near the band, sipping beer while enjoying the music.
“We come to the Oktoberfest every year. We enjoy the food, the beer and the bands.”
Connie Yetter lived in Munich and Augsburg Germany during the mid to late 60s when her husband was stationed there.
“We went to the Oktoberfest in Munich and it was quite the celebration,” she said. “This brings back memories of those Oktoberfests, but on a much smaller scale. I especially enjoy listening to the German music.”
CUT IT OUT!
Sitting here in Jacksonville Beach with this storm all around us;
News from my adoptive home on the high desert and then from my childhood and Bavarian Heritage (Bad Tolz) memories!
Thank you as it brings a brighter side to the last week we have been going through.
I’m more of a, ‘Liechtenstein Polka’ Gal, myself. ;)
When I had my Big, Fat, Expensive Wedding and I was Queen for a Day, I told the DJ that no matter how much people begged, if he played, ‘The Chicken Dance’ I was NOT going to pay him. ;)
I grew up in Milwaukeestan. It’s truly the worst thing my German ancestors brought over with them. :)
Watch out for the Turkey Trot, it’s coming in November.
While stationed in Germany I attended two weddings. At each reception banquet after everyone had linked arms and rocked side to side singing traditional songs, they all stood up and broke into the Chicken Dance. This was in 1983. It was heard everywhere that year.
As for Milwaukee Germans, I will always thank them for bringing “Hackepeter” (cannibal sandwich) to these shores.
;^)
Ah...Oktoberfest. Even if it’s September. A number of local craft breweries make some fine seasonal Oktoberfest beers. It’s a little darker than the summer pilsners, has the nice sweet caramel tones, and it’s too “hoppy” like those gawdawful goat-piss IPAs that everyone pushes these days.
I think I’ll pick up some brats for the grill and a growler of Sun King Oktoberfest on the way home.
For those of you in the Cleveland area, you are fortunate to have the Great Lakes Brewing Company; their Oktoberfest is truly outstanding.
Oop...I meant “NOT too hoppy.”
Insufficient coffee today.
I’m certain I’ve eaten my weight in those through the years at weddings, wakes and funerals! They are Da Bomb! :)
Pretty soon Germany won’t even have Oktoberfest.
My cannibal sandwich: 98% lean ground round in pump rye spread w/horseradish & hot sauce. Brings tears just to think about it.
;^)
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